ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — A 33-year-old St. Lucie County man faces charges after an infant was taken to the hospital with multiple fractures.
The sheriff's office announced Friday that they arrested James Longendyck, the child's father, following a nearly four-month investigation.
Detectives said the investigation began on March 29 when they were dispatched to HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital for a report of a suspected child abuse case involving a 3-month-old.
WATCH: Law enforcement says infant had 'significant injuries'
Medical personnel at the hospital alerted law enforcement after they found "injuries consistent with both recent and past trauma," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.
The injuries identified by hospital staff included broken and healed rib fractures, a healed fracture of the left tibia and a fracture of the right humerus — injuries authorities say are not typical for infants.
"Their bones are very spongy, they're very hard to break, in order to receive these types of injuries there had to be an extreme amount of force," said Detective Jennifer Diaz.
Due to the severity of the injuries, the child was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach for further evaluation and treatment.
“The medical staff noticed that there was some real inconsistencies in his stories and the injuries that the child had sustained," said Lieutenant Andrew Bolonka.
Bolonka added that the infant's arm appeared to be broken from being twisted. The shocking injuries are what led to over three months of medical evaluations, witness interviews, forensic analysis, and collaboration with child protection specialists.
"You’ve got a 3-month-old child. They are helpless and they rely on us, and it's heartbreaking and it's heart-wrenching when you have to investigate a case like this," Bolonka said.
Longendyck faces charges of aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm. He is being held at the St. Lucie County jail on a $50,000 bond.
"Harming a defenseless child is inexcusable," Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in a statement. "If you harm a child or prey on the most vulnerable in St. Lucie County, you will be held accountable. Our deputies will find you; they will arrest you, and you will face the full force of the law."
The sheriff's office said the investigation remains ongoing. For now, the infant is being cared for by family members.
